I have a question for both the Orthodox and the Catholic sides. It is, actually, on behalf of one of my very dear online friends, a young, 30-y.o. Ukrainian Eastern Rite Catholic priest from L'viv, Western Ukraine, called Father Oleh.

Fr. Oleh's question is this: if we deliberately disregard all political considerations and focus ONLY on theological considerations, would you say that it is GOOD if ONE of the bishops of the Orthodox Church (e.g., HAH Ecum. Patr. Bartholomew, or HH Patr. of Moscow and all Russia Alexiy) becomes THE primary earthly spiritual authority, the one arbiter who can, on his own, settle all the various disputes in the Church?

I understand that Fr. Oleh is wrestling with the idea of the "one earthly Primate of all Church" for quite a long time. He is one of those Eastern Rite Catholics who truly want to pay the due respect to both traditions of his jurisdiction, the Eastern (Byzantine) and the Latin. He would be grateful to hear your expert views on this isse.

I have a question for both the Orthodox and the Catholic sides. It is, actually, on behalf of one of my very dear online friends, a young, 30-y.o. Ukrainian Eastern Rite Catholic priest from L'viv, Western Ukraine, called Father Oleh.

Fr. Oleh's question is this: if we deliberately disregard all political considerations and focus ONLY on theological considerations, would you say that it is GOOD if ONE of the bishops of the Orthodox Church (e.g., HAH Ecum. Patr. Bartholomew, or HH Patr. of Moscow and all Russia Alexiy) becomes THE primary earthly spiritual authority, the one arbiter who can, on his own, settle all the various disputes in the Church?

I understand that Fr. Oleh is wrestling with the idea of the "one earthly Primate of all Church" for quite a long time. He is one of those Eastern Rite Catholics who truly want to pay the due respect to both traditions of his jurisdiction, the Eastern (Byzantine) and the Latin. He would be grateful to hear your expert views on this isse.

Thank you,

G.

No, not good. No one is infallible in the Church except Christ.

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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

I understand that Fr. Oleh is wrestling with the idea of the "one earthly Primate of all Church" for quite a long time. He is one of those Eastern Rite Catholics who truly want to pay the due respect to both traditions of his jurisdiction, the Eastern (Byzantine) and the Latin. He would be grateful to hear your expert views on this [issue].

One could make the argument that it's not even a Latin tradition to have "one earthly Primate of all Church". One could argue that that idea is more "Western" (since it more fully developed after the Church split between East and West), than strictly "Latin".

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If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

if we deliberately disregard all political considerations and focus ONLY on theological considerations, would you say that it is GOOD if ONE of the bishops of the Orthodox Church (e.g., HAH Ecum. Patr. Bartholomew, or HH Patr. of Moscow and all Russia Alexiy) becomes THE primary earthly spiritual authority, the one arbiter who can, on his own, settle all the various disputes in the Church?

I'd have to agree with what others have said, I don't think that would work out, even with political considerations being left aside. I don't think a situation akin to that has really kept the Catholics out of trouble, and I don't see that it would keep the Orthodox out of trouble either.

I also have to agree, and have another point to add: The Concilliar nature of the Church is itself an ecclesiological and therefore a theological consideration (not just a political one), so you cannot really divorce it from the question. The Concilliar nature of the Church comes from the fact that, according to Christ, the Church is the Icon of the Holy Trinity (John 17:21), and requires aggreement between two or more (Matthew 18:19). Furthermore, Christ alone is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18) and everyone else, including the Bishops, the Saints in Heaven, and even the Theotokos, are the Body.

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